BIRDS OF PREY IN THE UK - RSPB

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18 Moving away from Victorian intolerance? Protective legislation continues to play a key role in maintaining the recovery of our birds of prey. Egg collecting and the taking of birds and eggs for falconry, for example, significantly reduced towards the end of the 20th century and remain at a low level 15 . However, egg collecting remains a threat to some of our rarest species due to the persistence of some collectors. The illegal trade in falconry birds persists but has been kept in check by the registration requirement under Section 7 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, DNA testing to establish a bird’s lineage and improvements in captive breeding by falconers. Today, illegal killing and interference are more significant factors in restricting the recovery of birds of prey. They are still frequent and widespread (see figure 3) in parts of the UK and affect most species. During the last decade, there has been a reduction in the number of incidents on lowland farm and game estates, evident in the recovery of red kites and buzzards across much of lowland Britain. This contrasts with the incidents in upland counties, predominantly on land managed for grouse shooting. Poisoning and shooting continue to be the most frequent forms of illegal activity but destruction of nests, eggs and chicks and trapping are also recorded 15 . Figure 3: Distribution of the 1,765 confirmed incidents of bird of prey persecution, where grid references are known, by ten-kilometre square during 1990 to 2009. The uplands continue to be the areas of highest occurrence. Soaring to success The recovery of the red kite is one of the 20th century’s conservation success stories. This could not have been achieved without the help and dedication of many landowners and managers, enabling red kites to re-establish in many of their former haunts. Private estates have provided secure release sites, essential to a reintroduction project’s success. Landowners have also greatly helped the success of some reintroduction projects by providing opportunities for the public to experience red kites. In areas such as Galloway in Scotland, as well as the kite’s native Wales, this has encouraged the development of an important connection between local people, business and the birds. Figure 4: The occupation of people convicted of offences relating to birds of prey (from 1990-2009) In many release areas, local people have taken red kites to their hearts, in doing so realising the potential of this iconic bird to bring money into the local economy. In Gateshead’s Derwent Valley, red kites can be seen on beer bottles, buses and school badges, as well as in the air! More information on red kites can be found in the species text on page 5. Birds of prey in the UK: on a wing and a prayer
19 Following several prosecutions in recent years, it appears those involved are changing their tactics to avoid prosecution. This includes shooting birds such as hen harriers away from nests, including at roosting sites, hiding poison stores more carefully and bringing in non-local ‘specialists’ to commit offences. The number of persecution incidents reported to the RSPB over the last 10 years remains unacceptably high. Reported incidents under-represent the true scale of the problem. Unfortunately, few incidents lead to convictions due to the difficulties in securing evidence against those involved. 1991-1995 A628 A616 nderbank rvoir STOCKSBRIDGE NORTH-EAST PEAK MOORS s The government’s UK Raptor Working Group Report in 2000 made specific and very positive recommendations for more enforcement action. Despite some encouraging developments, such as the creation of the National Wildlife Crime Unit, much more needs to be done to tackle illegal killing. The pattern of persecution is changing. Real and welcome progress has been made in some lowland areas, but in areas of upland Britain the situation remains serious and little changed from the Victorian era. These ’black holes’, where familiar birds of prey are noticeable by their absence, are a major concern and should be a focus for future enforcement activity. 1996-2000 A628 NORTH-EAST PEAK MOORS A616 nderbank ervoir STOCKSBRIDGE Peak malpractice In 2006-07, the RSPB highlighted the alarming disappearance of birds of prey from some areas of the Peak District National Park 32 . During the period 1991 to 2006, previously stable populations of peregrines and goshawks crashed within the north-east Peak Moors. The goshawks’ fortunes took a serious downturn in 1999, when several nests failed for no obvious reason. The species has been lost as a breeding bird from the woodlands around the north-east moors since 2002. As recently as 1995 there were three pairs of peregrines in the north-east Peak, but in 1998 and 1999, there was total breeding failure. Since 2000, they have not even appeared at traditional breeding sites. A57 2001-2005 2006 A628 A616 rbank ir STOCKSBRIDGE NORTH-EAST PEAK MOORS A57 A628 A616 rbank ir STOCKSBRIDGE NORTH-EAST PEAK MOORS There is no indication that there is less food, less suitable habitat, fewer nest sites, or any other natural explanation to account for the catastrophic decline of these birds in the north-east Peak. Given the shocking scale and suddenness of the decline, conservationists feel it is highly likely that illegal persecution is the cause. A57 A57 = peregrine = goshawk Figure 5: Goshawk and peregrine territories on the north-east Peak Moors, 1991–2006. Populations have crashed in recent years. Birds of prey in the UK: on a wing and a prayer
Page 1 and 2: BIRDS OF PREY IN THE UK On a wing a
Page 3 and 4: Foreword 1 Shall I tell you about t
Page 5 and 6: 3 Organocholorines Organochlorine p
Page 7 and 8: Illegal killing is still a problem
Page 9 and 10: Back from extinction 7 White-tailed
Page 11 and 12: 9 Marsh harriers Marsh harriers wer
Page 13 and 14: Recovering from the effects of pest
Page 15 and 16: 13 Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com) B
Page 17 and 18: Summer visitors 15 Hobbies The hobb
Page 19: 17 White-tailed eagle by Ian McCart
Page 23 and 24: 21 Red kites waiting to be released
Page 25 and 26: 23 However, the levels of deliberat
Page 27 and 28: Further reading continued 58 Parr S

BIRDS OF PREY IN THE UK - RSPB

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